Relegated Sunderland will be doing very well to keep hold of their star keeper Jordan Pickford after another impressive performance at the weekend against Hull.

Liverpool are among a host of top clubs chasing the talented Englishman in the summer, with Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United AND West Ham all interested, according to The Telegraph.

His chances of being the first-choice No.1 will likely have an impact on any decision the young keeper makes as he pushes for an England spot.

A fee upwards of £25m is being reported.

Puel hails Southampton's resistance after grinding down Liverpool for share of the Anfield spoils

But the response from their supporters this time was very different despite a repeat of the 0-0 scoreline a week ago, and the French coach insisted criticism of his side is harsh when they are still such a young team.

“It was important after our game against Hull to correct it. I am satisfied, of course with this game, a strong game, with a strong defensive unit, it was important to play like this against this team, a good team with good play,” he said.

Jurgen Klopp blames 'dry pitch' after Liverpool fail to put Southampton to the sword at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp turned to a new page in the excuses-for-managers textbook to explain another two dropped points in the the race for the Champions League.

After Liverpool struggled to create a meaningful chance against Southampton — who have now shut them out four times this season – Klopp claimed his players struggled to click into gear because the ­Anfield pitch was too dry.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“I know people don’t want to hear this but the pitch was really dry,” he said. “We gave it all the water we had but, because of the wind, it was really dry.

Costly doesn't even cover the price of James Milner's penalty miss for Liverpool.

If it's counted in terms of potentially missing out on the Champions' League, then it will not only be priced in the 10s of millions, but also in terms of the players they will miss out on during the summer transfer window.

In what was a shocking game at Anfield, as Southampton put everything behind the ball bar the kitchen sink - and presumably they only left that behind because it was plumbed in - the penalty on 65 minutes was one of the few chances the home side scratched out.

Unfortunately for Milner as stepped up, Fraser Forster was equal to it, and he plunged to his right to produce a fine save - and condemn the veteran defender to his first miss from the spot this season, after converting his previous seven for the Reds.

It was tough luck on the likeable former England man, but really, Liverpool didn't deserve much more from a game where they seemed lacking in energy and ideas. And questions must be asked about Jurgen Klopp's decision to bring his twin subs Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge on so late, as the pair changed the game dramatically in the few minutes they were given.